Go, give up . . . your scrolling?

By -

 

 




I was listening to a recitation of the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 10 using **Lectio Divina on the Parable of the Rich Man.

You might remember the story where Jesus tells the rich man, "Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  (Mk 10:21)

Typically when I read this parable, I think very literally in terms of giving away stuff, the actual physical things we hold on to.

The context of the retreat I was listening to talked about making space for Jesus, and this got me to thinking, "What if Jesus isn't asking us to give up stuff, but to give up what we are attached to?"

What are you attached to? 

Let me give you an example.

Let's say you have developed the habit of scrolling or watching reels on your phone. "It's okay," you tell yourself. "I'm not hurting anyone by doing it, and it gives me a break."

Let's say lately you have really coveted your time doing this, to the extent that maybe you have been ignoring your spouse or your kids.

While Jesus told the rich man to go and sell what he has, maybe he is telling you to give up the scrolling that you have become attached to. Maybe he is trying to tell you that every time your child is looking at you and trying to talk to you, you are face deep in your phone. 

Go, give up your reels and your scrolling and give that time to your spouse or your children. It is in doing so that you will find your treasure. 

Also, in doing so, you will find your way to following Jesus. 

Like the rich man who felt sad when he heard what Jesus said, you might "go away sad" because you don't want to make whatever sacrifice he is asking of you.

You can see that this parable doesn't have to refer to giving away your things--although it might--but for you, it might be offering your time, energy or effort for someone else. 

We might dismiss our connection to this parable because we are not materially rich, when in actuality, perhaps there are things we need to give up for the benefit of others.

Pray for peace, joy, and an end to war.

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy 

  

 **Lectio Divina:

https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/lectio-divina-beginners-guide/ 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Marie-Antoinette's Journey of Faith

By -
Image
I have always felt that Maxime de la Rocheterie's description of Marie-Antoinette is one of the best: She was not a guilty woman, neither was she a saint; she was an upright, charming woman, a little frivolous, somewhat impulsive, but always pure; she was a queen, at times ardent in her fancies for her favourites and thoughtless in her policy, but proud and full of energy; a thorough woman in her winsome ways and tenderness of heart, until she became a martyr. ( The Life of Marie-Antoinette by M. de la Rocheterie, 1893) Marie-Antoinette spent the first fourteen years of her life in Austria, worshiping in Rococo churches and listening to the music of Haydn and the Italian composers. Architecture and music in that time and place celebrated the glory of God in the beauty of His creation. As Queen, her desire to promote beauty around her, especially in the lives of those whom she loved, was an outgrowth of the culture in which she was raised. She loved theater, acting, o...
Read more

The Memorare

By Helen Gonsalves -
Image
This popular prayer, a favorite of many Catholics, dates back to the 15th century and takes its name from the first Latin word of the prayer, "memorare," which means "remember." The Memorare is of unknown authorship, although it has been attributed to St. Augustine (354-430), St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407) and, with more reason, to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (c. 1090-1153). St. Bernard's sermons on Mary were famous, and it was his Cistercian monks in the monastery of Citeaux in the 12th century who popularized the name "Our Lady" for Mary. The Memorare has also been attributed to the French cleric Claude Bernard (1588-1641), known as the "poor priest" of Paris, whose homilies contain passages that echo its words. No matter who wrote this prayer, it was Father Bernard who did much to popularize it, teaching it in hospitals and prisons, where Mary's intercession was effective in working miracles of grace. The first manuscript of the Mem...
Read more

The Spirituality and Miracles of St. Clare of Assisi

By -
Image
August 11 is the memorial of St. Clare, one of my favorite saints. She was the first woman to follow the life of radical poverty practiced by St. Francis of Assisi and is the co-founder of the Poor Clares. Although I am not a Franciscan, I have had Franciscan friends, clergy, and spiritual directors instruct me on the beauty of St. Clare's spirituality. I have also learned a great deal from reading about her over the years. Clare and Francis (2007) is a film which depicts the fascinating story of her dramatic conversion and surrender to the will of God. St. Clare is the patron saint of television. She is also the patron of eye disorders, embroiderers, good weather, and telephones. The Contemplative Life The Lady Clare was born into a noble family in Assisi in 1193 and was admired for her great beauty. When she heard Francis of Assisi preach his Lenten homilies at the Church of San Giorgio, she was captivated by his words. At age eighteen, she heard him say: "When the...
Read more